But Briere is programmed enough: "There’s probably like five or six in there,” she said as she pulled out sets of compostable utensils in her backpack.

“It’s because I travel, so I like to keep them on me and I’d rather have the compostable ones than the plastic ones,” said Briere.

She doesn’t stop there. "I use metal straws at home because I make smoothies a lot. And, I actually have a brush for my straw to clean it. It’s so embarrassing,” she said with a laugh. “I didn’t know I think about it as much until I’m having this conversation,” she added.

One tourist visiting from Philadelphia joked he’s taking his biodegradable ice scream spoon home as a Seattle souvenir.

The city says they will be lenient on businesses who have a stock of plastic utensils and focus on the coming year to help businesses with compliance rather than enforcement.

Seattle Public Utilities says those who don’t make the change could face a $250 fine.